Aftermath

[Vilaz Munin]

They were in hyperspace, parsecs away from Mandalore. They were safe and heading home. It was sad and disheartening to run from something that you loved, yet turned your back on you. It was never the same on that fateful day. Everything would change all thanks to those traitors.

There was some sense of unity after the demise of Monroe, but just recently that vanished very quickly. Ambition and greed were the cause of that. All for a throne, a palace, a crown.

The Munin was a fugitive now that he had an arrest warrant placed on him by one of his fellow wolves, Yasha. He was no longer war or involved with the politics or subjects of the young Mandalorian Empire. They would see him as an enemy for his actions. There was so much to think about and so much to do as a single wrist rocket escalated to bloodshed and death amongst the Mandalorians.

Was he wrong? Was there any way of redeeming himself from that act?

What now?​

​

Vilaz was unsure of his thoughts and was internally debating with himself, and it became exhausting that the stress of it gave him a minor headache. It would go away in time. His injuries from the palace were treated and tended. His shoulder was popped back into place, his ribs were bandaged, and his hip had bacta applied. His health was somewhat better, but his healing was not finished. It would be days or weeks until he was good as new.

Seeking comfort and relief from his thoughts, the warrior headed towards the med bay of his person vessel where his wife, [member="Briika Tor-Munin"], was being taken care of. She had a concussion from what had happened and was healing; however, no matter what type of injury she received, the Concordian was always worried for his wife, his family, and his house.

And now there were other things to worry about.

 

[Briika Munin]

And with the 2-1B medical droid finally done scanning, prodding, and poking her, the lights in the medbay were turned down low to allow the concussed patient to rest. The mild analgesic was starting to ease the splitting headache Briika was experiencing and the sore neck from whiplash. She had been lucky. No brain bleed was detected, though each concussion varied to its degree and symptoms. Because the back of her head was what impacted with the hallway's tiled floor, Bree was having visual disturbances; seeing two of everything and photosensitivity. A pair of 'prism' Transition lenses were being made for her so hopefully they would help to correct those problems until they resolved completely.

It was hard to think, but of course Briika was concerned for her riduur. While being whisked off to the medbay, Vilaz had been taken to the cockpit. She had only been told the Akaan had been treated and would be 'okay'. The Baar'ur would be the judge of that, thank you very much! That was when Bree could truly check him out.

For now, the petite blonde just laid still on the medbunk and awaited for the pounding to subside enough to move again. She had not seen the split lip that needed a couple of stitches to close the laceration on the inside, but it felt as if the flesh was huge when experimentally touched. Oh how she wanted her husband to hold her. After seeing her dead family members when blacked out, Bree needed the reassurance everything would be okay. She felt so helpless as life spiraled out of control, when moments before things were perfect. Why didn't they stay in bed?!

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

With the condition he was some of the clansmen aboard offered their assistance to their Alor. Vilaz, simply, pushed away their help while thanking them for their consideration. It wasn't uncommon for the Concordian to push away help even if it would make things easier for him.

No, he was too proud for that. When Mandalore crumbled by the hands of Mereel and Monroe, the Silver Jedi had offered their help to him which he, without any hesitation, declined. He thought of it as a sign of weakness to accept help, even from his own people. Of course, there was no doubt that others shared that same trait and personality. He had to set and example for all those that was part of his house and for his family.

Of course, one exception to that was his beloved wife.

He limped his way to the med bay and ordered everyone to leave the two be. They complied and obeyed, and went to do something else.

The warlord entered and saw his lover laying down on the bed. "Hey, you," Vilaz said in a gentle, loving tone to the blonde as he neared towards the bed and held her hand.

"How are you? You okay?"

[member="Briika Tor-Munin"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika experimentally opened her eyes at the sound of her husband's voice as he entered the medbay; squinting at Vilaz's silhouette as the rugged man lumbered closer. The caring warmth of his touch as the Concordian took her small hand in his much larger sent comforting shivers down her spine. She attempted a small smile, but with a split lip is was hard to exact.

"Hey you back," Bree answered softly. "Elek, I'm going to be okay... I have a hard head so only a concussion, but I am seeing two of you at the moment... What a lucky girl, hmm?" she teased ever so lightly, giving his hand a little squeeze.

It was evident he was uncomfortable from his own injuries. Trying to brave through the pain most likely, which in the end wouldn't do him any favors. There was something else too, not physical that was bothering the warlord, but she would let Vilaz bring it up when he was ready to discuss it.

"And you? You should really take a pain killer... I don't want you having a heart attack or stroke from your blood pressure being sky high from toughing it out. You're no good to me dead, cyar'ika. At some point we will need to finish what we started earlier..."

Again, if only they had stayed in bed!

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Mixed emotions were stirring in his heart. He was happy and glad that his wife was okay and safe, but he was also sad because it was that one rocket that escalated to her having a concussion and a split lip. He felt guilty for what had happened and began blaming himself in his own thoughts. He had to push them away and look...normal to his beloved wife. Vilaz didn’t want her worried or see a gloomy face on him.

”I’m as lucky as you to have you, Bree,” the Concordian said to Bree with a smile as he lightly laughed from her teaser. Her concern for him was very similar to his concern of her. In the beginning of their relationship, he wasn’t constantly worried for her. Vilaz has never cared and worried for someone so much in his life until he met Bree. Despite the medic telling him she was okay, the warlord was very concerned for his wife.

”I’ll take one later, cyar’ika, but I’m fine. I’ve been through worse,” the Mandalorian said as he gently squeezed the blonde’s hand and have his other free one caress her face. ”Next time we won’t make the same mistake as we did on Mandalore, and yes we’ll finish that soon.”

Smiling at her, he leaned down to give her a quick kiss on her lips. He didn’t want to talk about the incident in the throne room, not now anyways.

”You said you saw ‘them’, ner cyare. Who did you saw?”

[member="Briika Tor-Munin"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika knew if she nagged her husband too much, that it would make him even more stubborn to following medical advice so the blonde let it go for now. Vilaz also steered the conversation away from what happened in the Throne Room. She was dying to know what had changed so drastically, but again didn't push.

"Alright, Vil'ika, but don't wait too long, gedet'ye," the seasoned baar'ur pleaded softly after he kissed the corner of her mouth in a gentle, loving way; two, blue-green orbs trying to focus upon his seemingly four, sapphire ones Briika couldn't wait to stop seeing double.

It wouldn't be too long any ways before the Tarka'yayr made Concord Dawn, at least that is where Bree believed the ship was headed. The thought of having Kayra see them all banged up (again) made her stomach tie in a knot. Even though Merja was with their daughter when they were off on missions or business, she hoped in the long run it didn't affect the girl. She had been raised to be a Mando'ad, but still young shouldn't have to endure such worry if their parents would or would not return.

Then, Vilaz asked about seeing 'them'....

Briika closed her eyes as a wave of emotion came over her. She didn't want to cry in front of her riduur. The Concordian was being so strong for her so a deep breath was taken and slowly released as the blonde's azure gaze looked back up at him.

"While I was unconscious, before you got to me, I.... saw ner buire, ner ori'vod, and ner ik'aad. They came to me out of a bright light, but stopped short of where I was in the darkness. I wanted to go to them, but my feet wouldn't move. I felt a comforting warmth when they smiled at me, then they disappeared back into the illumination. Next thing I remember is waking with my head upon your shoulder while you were getting me away to safety."

The Baar'ur pressed her cheek into his rough yet loving hand that was caressing her face.

"Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum."

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

She has lost so much in her life. The golden blonde had told her of how she lost her older brother by the hands of Death Watch and her little baby boy that was lost in a miscarriage. He was, however, present when she lost her parents to the cataclysm of Mandalore. It was hard for him to see his beloved saddened so much of those personal incidents, but at the end they had to carry on. Briika didn’t suffer as much as she did before though those scars would never completely heal. It was part of her life and, ironically, it made her stronger. Much stronger than him as she was able to move on with life.

The Concordian didn’t know what it was to lose someone so close and searing to him, but he could only imagine. It would most likely bring him in a stage of pain, depression, fury, and sadness.

The warlord listened to his beloved as he said she saw all those that she lost when she was unconscious. The bright light made his stomach turn as he interpreted of her almost dying and departing ways from the realm of the living. He couldn’t afford that. Not with her or anyone of their family. Selfish it may be, but he would do anything to cheat death and save those he loved. Death he did not fear, only to whom it would touch that was part of his life.

”I love you too, Bree. I love you more than anything,” he said with a loving smile to his wife.

”So how long will you recover, cyar’ika? I don’t like to see you like this, besides we have to finish what we started too.” Again, he was avoiding to talk about what had happened in the throne room.

[member="Briika Tor-Munin"]

 

[Briika Munin]

"I know you do, ner cyare," Bree smiled back. "I couldn't ask for anything more."

Mutual love had never been an issue between the Munin and Tor. After all this time, they'd each finally found their soul mate. Briika's biggest fear though was she would be her husband's downfall. Vilaz sometimes could get tunnel vision when she was with him; being overly protective of her over his own welfare, or even others. He'd gotten better, though the man still from time to time did that.

"I'm already feeling better, though it may take a couple of weeks to clear the remnants of my concussion completely. It will take about that amount of time for you heal up from your injuries as well. If only we could go recuperate on our beach on Bandomeer, hmm... but I have a feeling the repercussions from today won't allow us to have that luxury," she gazed into his normally mesmerizing sapphire pools, but they were clouded with pain and worry. Was there a hint of guilt mixed in as well?

"Vilaz, cyar'ika... I need to know what we are up against. What happened, and why were the palace guards attacking the Akaan?"

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

She asked him about what had happened in the throne room. Something that people now called as the Red Coronation as Yasha claimed power as the central leader of the Mandalorians in a tyrannical way, with blood being shed and lives reaped. Vilaz couldn't veil the truth from Bree. She deserved to know. They promised to never lie to each other nor hold secrets from one another. He loved her and he would true to that.

The last time he told her a secret was when he revealed being part of Deathwatch during the reign of the incompetent Alor'e Council. There some tension between them as the Munin remembered his beloved slapping him in the face; remembering how she felt with sadness, fury, and pain as it was Deathwatch that killed her older brother. However, she forgave him and the two made their relationship stronger than beskar.

Now he wondered how she would think of this now.

He sighed and braced himself.

"Cyar'ika, there was conflict inside the throne room as Yasha sat down on the throne. Tension rose as we argued back and forth, and someone questioned and challenged my honor along with their clan backing them up. I tried to have them arrested so that we could move forward, but I...shot a wrist rocket at the crowd. From there...it was unfortunately Mando against Mando. Then someone had a bomb on them and tried to blow up everyone and everything. Soldiers of Yasha tried to arrest me for what I did, but she rose to power in a disgusting way."

A majority of Mandalorians, branching off from their clans, joined Yasha and acknowledged her as their new Sole Ruler. His hand squeezed Bree's and looked at her enchanting eyes and beautiful face (despite her injuries) with a look of guilt.

"I'm so sorry, ner cyare. I'm so sorry I brought you in this mess with me. Can you forgive me?"

[member="Briika Tor-Munin"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika listened thoughtfully to her husband as he unburdened himself. She loved [member="Vilaz Munin"] with her very being yet no one was perfect, and certainly not him. The Concordian had his faults and unfortunately his temper was one of them. That quick to anger had served him poorly before during a diplomatic meeting when he was Mand'alor. It seemed it had here as well, but too it had helped the warlord to be relentless and unforgiving in battle keeping the feared warrior alive this long.

"I saw that the hell-child had boldly and arrogantly sat upon Ra's throne before I left the room. That did not sit well with me either, pardon the pun. And the blast from the bomb is what must have greeted me when I opened the door on my return to the Throne Room."

The Baar'ur's head and body reminded her of that very fact as she laid upon the medbed. At least Bree was alive as was Vilaz. The blonde gazed back into the blue pools that had always been there for her, given strength and reassurance during the worst of times. Yes, she was upset by the events, but they were in this together for better or for worse. Briika had not taken her vow to him lightly. Vilaz was a good man, one of honor and integrity. He was rough around the edges, but underneath the man truly cared for his family and clan, and would do what ever it takes to see them survive.

"There is nothing to forgive, Vil'ika. What's done is done. There is nothing we can do to change it. We must look to the future now with the hand we are dealt... Just promise me you'll count to ten next time, hmm," she smiled sincerely until the split lip allowed her to no more. It was a long shot, but worth a try to encourage less hastiness in a distressing moment.

"While you have been off serving Mand'alor the Undying as one of his Cuir Rekr, I, Alor'ad of Clan Munin, have been planning for this day, one where the clan would have to vacate our lands to greener pastures as the mantra goes. Say the word, and it will be done, Alor Munin."

 

[Vilaz Munin]

He was blessed and lucky to have her. She was one of his greatest treasures. Bree and their family that they've built, one he hadn't paid enough attention on since his crusading days. But now he had another duty. One to his family and clan, not to the Mandalore and the others. Being exiled from Mandalorian Space was something he'd never thought of. Yes, he had taken his people to Dxun as Mand'alor after the cataclysm, but it was to survive and to rebuild.

Now, he was an enemy of Yasha's new regime. A regime that somehow had immense support after what she had done. His actions were inexcusable, but she had committed more fouls than him. Laws of the Empire she preached, when she had broken them too. After witnessing that, he knew she was a tyrant. One for her own goals that wouldn't help the Mandalorians as a whole.

He was somewhat glad to fire the wrist rocket.

"I promise you, Bree. I'll have to control that rage of mine," he smiled back to her, his face more calm than before as did his heart.

"And yes, I agree with you. It is unfortunately to move from our territories. This was not a day I was expecting, one that I hoped to never come but we must. For our family and clan."

He squeezed her hand more tighter. The future was unknown, but he expected something good to come out of it. There was always a light for those at the end of the tunnel...they just had to continue until they could bathe into it.

[member="Briika Tor-Munin"]​